Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has appealed to the club’s fans, urging them to maintain their trust in the team’s process despite a recent tough run of results.

Arrows are set to host Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a Betway Premiership match on Tuesday [19:30]. They will be aiming to break a two-game losing streak that has seen them slip to 14th place in the league standings.

Their most recent defeat was a 3-0 loss to Stellenbosch FC this past weekend, with all goals conceded from the second phase of set plays.

Coach Mngqithi would have undoubtedly focused on rectifying this vulnerability in training ahead of their encounter with a Pirates side fiercely competing for points to close the gap on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates secured a 2-1 victory against Kaizer Chiefs in their league match at FNB Stadium on Saturday. However, Sundowns also won their subsequent game, further extending their lead in the title race.

Adding to Arrows’ challenges, their loss to Stellenbosch FC marked their fourth consecutive league match without a win since their victory against Pirates’ rivals, Chiefs, at the same Durban venue in late March.

Pirates will also be returning to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday for the Nedbank Cup final against Chiefs, and they will be eager to build momentum with a positive result against Arrows.

“I would like to encourage our supporters at Golden Arrows to come in numbers and watch this match,” said Mngqithi. “They must trust the process. We may not have had good results lately, but if they look at the performances, the team is improving.

“I am very optimistic that we are going to take the team further, and it starts with the game against Pirates. They must just come and support us. I promise them that they will enjoy very good football.”

Arrows will face a significant challenge, considering that their last encounter with Pirates resulted in a heavy 7-1 defeat at Orlando Stadium last season.

The match between these two sides was originally scheduled for 19 February at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammersdale, KwaZulu-Natal, but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following heavy rainfall that rendered the venue unplayable.

Meanwhile, Arrows have continued their recruitment drive from the now-defunct Royal AM. Their latest signings include goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo and defender Ayanda Mabutho, who also has previous experience with Royal AM and Nathi Lions.

The growing list of players joining Arrows on free transfers from Royal AM, whose PSL membership was revoked after being seized by the South African Revenue Services (SARS), includes Siphesihle Msomi, Shadrack Kobedi, Philani Sithebe, Sabelo Sithole, Ayabulela Maxwele, and Thabo Matlaba.